Fans were surprised and delighted upon seeing Thomas Gibson in the premiere episode of Criminal Minds Season 12, considering that the actor initially confirmed leaving the show. The second episode will be, however, the last one where the actor would appear in.
The actor was reportedly terminated from the show after a physical altercation with one of the producers. As per the report of International Business Times, tension flared between the veteran actor and the writer-producer Virgil Williams while filming Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 2 in July.
Following this confrontation, Gibson suffered an initial two-week suspension and then was dismissed from the show. Explaining the conflict, the actor said, "He came into that room and started coming towards me ... We had some choice words, for which I apologized the next day, and that was it. It was over. We shot the scene, I went home - and I never got to go back."
Gibson portrays Criminal Minds main character Aaron Hotchner. While fans are still trying to get over the departure of their favorite FBI agent in Criminal Minds Season 12, there are speculations that Gibson's Hotchner will die and will have his last appearance in the second episode.
Game N Guide reported that Criminal Minds main character Hotchner will be replaced by the newly introduced FBI Agent Luke Alvez portrayed by Adam Rodriguez. Rodriguez initially appeared in Criminal Minds Season 11 as a replacement of Shemar Moore who opted to leave the show in the said season. Apparently, Rodriguez's Alvez might have to try and replace Hotchner also.
Furthermore, the media outlet noted that it is highly unlikely for Aaron Hotchner to stay in Criminal Minds Season 12 considering that Gibson is currently planning to pursue legal actions.
Meanwhile, Criminal Minds Season 12 second episode titled "Sick Day" will show J.J. arriving home shaken after a rough case. As evident from the episode trailer, J.J.'s life might be in danger as she works with Luke Alvez and Emily Prentiss to catch a serial killer. The trailer, however, did not offer a clue how Hotchner will be written off from Criminal Minds.
Criminal Minds Season 12 episode 2 will air on October 5, 9pm on CBS.
